Dynamic direction protocols and system among parties in traffic

Abstract

A predictive dynamic alert, control, and management system configured to detect traffic members through a plurality of sensor nodes and transponders in hazardous environments, learn and predict traffic paths and traffic habits of traffic members, and provide advance warning and advance action and control signals to prevent traffic accidents, is provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A predictive traffic alert and control system for traffic ways comprising:
 a plurality of sensor nodes configured to collect movement data through at least one sensor of the plurality of sensor nodes monitoring movement, speed, position, direction, or orientation of at least one traffic member of a plurality of traffic members; 
 the at least one sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes communicatively coupled to a gateway computing device or server and configured to transfer the movement data to the gateway computing device or server; 
 the gateway computing device or server configured to store and analyze the movement data of the at least one traffic member of the plurality of traffic members and create a projected future path of movement of the at least one traffic member based on a dynamic and ongoing collection of movement data and history of prior collected or preprogramed movement data for the each traffic member of the plurality of traffic members; 
 the gateway computing device or server configured to compare the projected future path of the at least one traffic member with a projected future path of at least a second traffic member of the plurality of traffic members to determine if the projected future path of the at least one traffic member will intersect with the projected future path of the at least a second traffic member; 
 the gateway computing device or server configured further configured to communicate an alert signal or a control signal to the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic member to alert the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic member or to control the at least one traffic member to avoid a potential collision; 
 wherein a first sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes is coupled to a gateway computing device of a first traffic member of the plurality of traffic members and a second sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes is coupled to a gateway computing device of a second traffic member of the plurality of traffic members; 
 each the first traffic member and second traffic member having a preprogrammed identity correlating to each traffic member and the gateway computing device of the first traffic member or gateway computing device of a second traffic member are further configured to transmit the preprogrammed identity to each traffic member; and 
 wherein at least one of the first traffic member or second traffic member is in motion and either and the gateway computing device of the first traffic member or and the gateway computing device of the second traffic member is configured to detect the transmitted preprogrammed identity and add preprogrammed identity to a stored proximity list while in a preprogrammed transmit or receive range; 
 wherein the at least one traffic member projected future path intersects with a second traffic member projected future path and the server or gateway computing device sends an alert signal or control signal to the first traffic member or second traffic member; 
 wherein each the first sensor node and the second sensor node additionally comprise an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) transmitter and receiver, and the first sensor node and second sensor node collect movement data of the first traffic member and the second traffic member through slow two-way ranging at a low frequency and transmit the movement data of the first traffic member and second traffic member to the server or gateway computing device; and 
 wherein the first traffic member and second traffic member reach a threshold proximity distance between the first and second traffic members and the server or each gateway computing device adds the first traffic member and second traffic member to a danger list and commands the a gateway computing device of a first traffic member and the gateway computing device of a second traffic member to conduct fast two-way ranging through the sensor nodes at a high frequency to collect movement data at a faster rate. 
 
     
     
       2. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one traffic member comprises at least one of a pedestrian, machine, vehicle, driver, or stationary element. 
     
     
       3. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  further comprising positionally directive alert signals directed to the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic member having intersecting projected future paths. 
     
     
       4. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the gateway computing device comprises a processor and memory, is integrated into a control system of the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic, and is configured to receive and send the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic operational control commands or alert signals. 
     
     
       5. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the gateway computing device is communicatively coupled to the server and is configured to receive control commands or alert signals from the server. 
     
     
       6. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the server or gateway computing device is further configured create the projected future path of movement of the at least one traffic member based on preprogrammed movement capabilities of the at least one traffic member, preprogrammed traffic patterns of the at least one traffic member, or previous recorded driver history or safety records. 
     
     
       7. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein at least on one traffic member of the plurality of traffic members is coupled to a gateway computing device, wherein the gateway computing device comprises a processor and memory, and further wherein the gateway computing device is configured to receive and send the at least one traffic member operational control commands or alert signals and further wherein the gateway computing device or server transmits an alert signal or control signal only to the gateway computing devices of traffic members projected to intersect. 
     
     
       8. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein at least on one traffic member of the plurality of traffic members is coupled to a gateway computing device, wherein the gateway computing device comprises a processor and memory, and further wherein the gateway computing device is configured to receive and send the at least one traffic member operational control commands or alert signals and further wherein the gateway computing device or server transmits an alert signal or control signal to traffic members that are no longer projected to collide. 
     
     
       9. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of sensor nodes comprises at least one the following sensors: imager, radar, lidar, proximity sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, thermocouple, barometer, radio frequency or power signal strength detection sensors and antennae, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)/Ultra Wideband (UWB)/Wi-Fi transmitters, or receivers, or a microphone. 
     
     
       10. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 9  where the plurality of sensor nodes includes at least a first sensor node and a second sensor node collecting data from at least one of the following sensors: imager, radar, lidar, proximity sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, thermocouple, barometer, radio frequency or power signal strength detection sensors and antennae, and BLE/UWB/Wi-Fi transmitters, or receivers, or a microphone; and wherein the first sensor node and second sensor node collect data form different sensors. 
     
     
       11. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 10  wherein the first sensor node, the second sensor node, or the first traffic member or the second traffic member comprise an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder having the preprogramed identity correlating to the traffic member and have an transponder RFID receiver. 
     
     
       12. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 10  wherein the first sensor node and second sensor node transmit first traffic member movement data and second traffic member movement data collected through an accelerometer of the first sensor node and second sensor node. 
     
     
       13. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the slow two-way ranging is conducted at about 1 hz and the fast two-way ranging is conducted at about 10 hz. 
     
     
       14. A method to avoid non line of sight collisions using the predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 9  wherein a first sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes comprises a UWB transmitter and receiver and is coupled to a gateway computing device of a first traffic member of the plurality of traffic members, comprising the steps of:
 the first sensor node transmitting a UWB signal; 
 the UWB signal reflecting off of a plurality of traffic barriers and out of sight traffic members back to the first sensor node; 
 the first sensor node transmitting the reflected UWB signal to the gateway computing device of the first traffic member; 
 the gateway computing device of the first traffic member analyzing the reflected UWB signal and mapping out proximity of traffic barriers and out of sight traffic members based on time to receive the reflected UWB signal; 
 the gateway computing device of the first traffic member adding traffic members to a proximity list based on proximity of each traffic member within a predefined proximity threshold; and 
 the gateway computing device of the first traffic member transmitting the first traffic member projected path to the gateway computing devices coupled to the traffic members on the proximity list. 
 
     
     
       15. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of sensor nodes transmit sensor node health and power data to the server or a gateway computing device. 
     
     
       16. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 15  wherein a sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes transmits a low power signal to the server or gateway computing device and the server or gateway computing device sends a control signal to the sensor node to recharge at a charging station. 
     
     
       17. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 16  wherein the sensor node comprises a means for conductive charging, wireless or near field communications charging or radio frequency receiver configured to harvest power radio frequencies, and the charging station is configured to accommodate conductive charging, wireless or near field communications charging or transmits power radio frequencies to be harvested. 
     
     
       18. A predictive traffic alert and control system for traffic ways comprising:
 a plurality of sensor nodes configured to collect movement data through at least one sensor of the plurality of sensor nodes monitoring movement, speed, position, direction, or orientation of a plurality of traffic members;
 the plurality of sensor nodes each configured to store and analyze the movement data of any traffic member of the plurality of traffic members and create a projected future path of movement of any traffic member of the plurality of traffic members based on a dynamic and ongoing collection of movement data and history of prior collected or preprogramed movement data for any traffic member of the plurality of traffic members; 
 at least one sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes configured to compare the projected future path of the at least one traffic member of the plurality of traffic members with a projected future path of at least a second traffic member of the plurality of traffic members to determine if the projected future path of the at least one traffic member will intersect with the projected future path of the at least a second traffic member; and 
 the at least one sensor node further configured to communicate an alert signal or a control signal to the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic member to alert the at least one traffic member or at least second traffic member or to control the at least one traffic member to avoid a potential collision; 
 wherein a first sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes is coupled to a first traffic member of the plurality of traffic members and a second sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes is coupled to a second traffic member of the plurality of traffic members; 
 each the first sensor node or second sensor node or each the first traffic member or second traffic member having a preprogrammed identity correlating to each traffic member and each the first sensor node or second sensor node or each the first traffic member or second traffic member are further configured to transmit the programmed identity to the first sensor node or second sensor node or each the first traffic member or second traffic member; 
 wherein at least one of the first traffic member or second traffic member is in motion and either the first sensor node or second sensor node or the first traffic member or second traffic member is configured to detect the first sensor node or second sensor node or the first traffic member or second traffic member and add the each traffic member to a stored proximity list while in a preprogrammed transmit or receive range; 
 wherein the first sensor node and second sensor node transmit first traffic member movement data and second traffic member movement data of the first sensor node and second sensor node to each other and calculate a first traffic member projected future path and a second traffic member projected future path; 
 wherein the first traffic member projected future path intersects with the second traffic member projected future path and the first sensor node or second sensor node transmits an alert signal or control signal to the first traffic member or second traffic member; 
 wherein each the first sensor node and the second sensor node additionally comprise an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) transmitter and receiver, and the first sensor node and second sensor node collect movement data of the first traffic member and the second traffic member through slow two way ranging at a low frequency and transmit the movement data of the first traffic member and second traffic member to each other or a server; and 
 wherein the first traffic member and second traffic member reach a threshold proximity and the first sensor node and second sensor node add the first traffic member and second traffic member to a danger list and command the first sensor node and second sensor node to conduct fast two way ranging at a high frequency to collect movement data at a faster rate. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 18  wherein the at least one traffic member comprises at least one of a pedestrian, machine, vehicle, driver, or stationary element. 
     
     
       20. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 18  wherein the at least one traffic member is a machine or vehicle and the sensor node is integrated into the machine or vehicle control system and is configured to send the machine or vehicle operational control commands. 
     
     
       21. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 18  wherein at least one sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes is further configured create the projected future path of movement of the at least one traffic member based on preprogrammed movement capabilities of the at least one traffic member, preprogrammed traffic patterns of the at least one traffic member, or previous recorded driver history or safety records. 
     
     
       22. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of sensor nodes are communicatively together or communicatively coupled to a backend server or communicatively coupled to the plurality of traffic members. 
     
     
       23. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 22  wherein an alert signal or controls signal is only transmitted to traffic members of the plurality of traffic members having an intersecting projected future path. 
     
     
       24. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 23  wherein a stop alert signal or stop control signal is only transmitted to traffic members of the plurality of traffic members no longer having an intersecting projected future path. 
     
     
       25. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 24  wherein the plurality of sensor nodes comprises at least one the following sensors: imager, radar, lidar, proximity sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, thermocouple, barometer, radio frequency or power signal strength detection sensors and antennae, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)/Ultra Wideband (UWB)/Wi-Fi transmitters, or receivers, or a microphone. 
     
     
       26. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 25  wherein the plurality of sensor nodes includes at least a first sensor node and a second sensor node collecting data from at least one of the following sensors: imager, radar, lidar, proximity sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, thermocouple, barometer, radio frequency or power signal strength detection sensors and antennae, and BLE/UWB/Wi-Fi transmitters, or receivers, or a microphone; and
 wherein the first sensor node and second sensor node collect data form different sensors. 
 
     
     
       27. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 18  wherein the first sensor node, the second sensor node, or the first traffic member or the second traffic member comprise an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder having the preprogramed identity correlating to the traffic member and have an transponder RFID receiver. 
     
     
       28. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 18  wherein the slow two way ranging is conducted at about 1 hz and the fast two way ranging is conducted at about 10 hz. 
     
     
       29. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 28  wherein the plurality of sensor nodes transmit sensor node health and power data to the server or a separate sensor node. 
     
     
       30. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 29  wherein the a sensor node of the plurality of sensor nodes transmits a low power signal to the server or a separate sensor node and the server or a separate sensor node sends a control signal to the sensor node to recharge at a charging station. 
     
     
       31. The predictive traffic alert and control system of  claim 30  wherein the sensor node comprises a means for conductive charging, wireless or near field communications charging or radio frequency receiver configured to harvest power radio frequencies, and the charging station is configured to accommodate conductive charging, wireless or near field communications charging or transmits power radio frequencies to be harvested.